Make a start at Wu Kau Tang Village. Past the village
houses, the hill path climbs steadily up dense
woodlands. Along the way, sweet songs of birds
echo through the forests. The trail runs parallel
with a hill stream, so even on hot summer days
it feels mellow and cool. At the summit there is
a hill fire lookout. Facilities of this kind are
watchdog stations to protect our Country Parks
from devastating hillfire.
During the dry season between September and April,
all hillfire lookouts are manned by Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department staff around
the clock. When a fire is detected, the hillfire
control centre will be alerted at first instance,
so that fire fighting missions can be promptly
organized, for example, sending in fire fighters
or requesting helicopter assistance.

Looking north from
the hillfire lookout, your gaze takes in Sha Tau
Kok and surrounding areas like the Yim Tso Ha Egretry
and A Chau Egretry, mangrove beds along the Luk Keng
coast, fishponds and paddy fields. This part of the
New Territories is frequented by field and wetland
birds, such as kingfishers, bitterns, egrets and
herons. Also within sight is the Sha Tau Kok countryside
both within and outside the Hong Kong border. Looking
down, the foothills are verdant with thick tree canopies,
reflecting decades of hard work by Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department afforestation staff.